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| Mark Gerner at LB2CAT Race on Custom Turbo Kawasaki 310 |
As always, BEFORE you consider riding or racing in the ocean, go to the Coast Guard and seek out formal training before you ride. We advise you NOT to ride in the ocean until you have formal training and all of the appropriate safety and communications equipment. Never ride alone, ever. Contact the Coast Guard for Training: https://www.uscgboating.org/
We receive the question "what craft should I buy" about 200 times a year - here you go! There is a lot of good product on the market, the following is our preference and opinion:
First, we will not be discussing the multitude of technical nomenclature, pump sizes, dash technologies etc. with any craft; Google search and you will find more information in this area than you can retain.
The subject matter here is our opinion regarding a “best” choice for performance while riding offshore in big water. Keep in mind, many don’t truly understand what we mean when we say riding in “big water.” We mean riding at high speeds in three to five-foot seas offshore. This kind of riding and racing can be violent on the rider and craft (literally, violent).
It is our opinion that you have two choices and our preference is the following: The Kawasaki Ultra 310 or the Yamaha FX SVHO platforms. For rough water you will want to be on the Kawasaki, it is a large deep V stable hull that is heavy and offers good hookup (pump engagement). The Yamaha SVHO platform is lighter and offers the opportunity to relatively easily modify the craft to achieve substantially faster top speeds than the Kawasaki ULTRA. Can you put that power and speed to the water in big water? Remember, offshore rough water riding is about average speed so the ability to keep the pump engaged is critical.
If it is a white cap day you will want to be on the Kawasaki ULTRA 310 - relatively speaking it is a large, heavy, planted hull, more so than any other. If it is a more mild day offshore, you will want to be on the Yamaha FX SVHO. Personal preference prevails here.
If you purchase the Yamaha FX SVHO, it is our opinion that you purchase Sponsons, we found they make the craft even more stable in straight line rough water. We purchased and like the WORX Sponsons (They are not a sponsor).
At the end of the day, you will be pleased with both of these craft. Enjoy, and happy riding and racing, safely! www.pwcoffshore.com www.jetskioffshore.com
As always, BEFORE you consider riding or racing in the ocean, go to the Coast Guard https://www.uscgboating.org/ and get formal training before you ride offshore - NEVER ride alone.
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| Mark Gerner offshore |
